Whether you’re just starting out, trying to take your business to the next level, or in need of a sounding board for ideas as your business begins to grow, you’re going to want to consider a business coach.
Don’t worry; business coaches differ significantly from your old high-school gym coach. No one’s going to yell at you to run laps or take a strange communal shower after dodgeball.
Although hygiene and physical fitness should certainly be a priority of yours, it is not for your business coach. Instead, they are here to help with all things business.
But how can a business coach take your brand from floundering to flourishing or flourishing to flourishing even more? (At Foundr, we don’t put a cap on your level of flourish. That’s just how we roll.)
Here, we will dive into the details behind what a business coach is and how to find the perfect one for your ecommerce brand.
The Obvious Question – What is a Business Coach?
Before we dive into the common questions you should ask before investing in a business coach, we should probably go over what a business coach is and what role they can play for your brand.
Chances are, you may not have even considered the concept of business coaching, which makes total sense. After all, if you’re already working round the clock on your brand, when would you find time to consider the value of a business coach?
Despite this, business coaches are one of the most overlooked assets you have available to you. These coaches are highly experienced in helping brands and businesses just like yours, offering actionable advice and feedback based on their expertise and experience.
Much like a loving partner, the best business coaches will actively listen to your queries and struggles, ask questions, and then offer advice. In addition, a business coach should provide you with an action plan and help you set KPIs that drive accountability and results.
Oh, your partner hasn’t set KPIs for your relationship yet? You’re missing out.
Essentially, a business coach can help improve you and your brand and help you serve more customers.
Don’t Skip: Why You Need a Business Coach
9 Common Business Coaching Questions to Ask
With that out of the way, let’s look at the coaching questions you need to ask before settling on your perfect business coach.
1. What does a business coach do?
In simple terms, a good business coach will help you create a strategy that helps you get from where you are today to where you want to be in a set amount of time.
They do this by helping you lay out a strategic business plan, allowing you to develop a clear vision of where you want your brand to go.
2. What can I expect during my first meeting with a coach?
During your first coaching session, you should expect to discuss what you want to get out of your coaching relationship, as well as an insight into how the coach operates.
Each consultant’s coaching model will differ slightly, and many business coaches will be keen to hear about your needs and objectives from the relationship but also share their expectations to ensure you are both on the same page.
3. How will a business coach help me grow my business?
What separates business coaches from workshops, books, and guides is the intimacy of their service. Business coaches use their firsthand knowledge and adapt it to your business as if it were their own.
Instead of talking at you, they’re working with you.
By using a combination of their experience in your industry and excellent listening skills, a business coach can help you grow by identifying the steps you need to take to reach your goals and keeping you accountable along the way.
4. Can sole traders benefit from hiring a business coach, or is it for companies only?
Business coaching can benefit almost any sized business across any industry, so long as you opt for one that is right for you. Certain business coaches are highly skilled at supporting large companies, whereas others thrive when they work on a 1-on-1 basis.
5. Will coaching disrupt my daily operations?
Business coaching will certainly change the landscape of your daily operations, but to say they will be disrupted is a little exaggeration.
After all, by hiring a business coach, you are essentially asking for someone to come in and alter your daily tasks to help you achieve more growth and success with your brand.
6. Will coaching reduce my staff’s productivity?
On the contrary, an effective business consultant will elevate your staff’s productivity. If you are instilling significant change in the workplace on the advice of your coach, you may experience a period of transition where your team’s productivity drops, but the aim of those changes is to become more efficient and productive in the long run.
Check out this interview with Foundr’s business coach, Garie Dooley.
7. Will coaching change too many things too quickly?
One of the best aspects of investing in a business coach is that, at the end of the day, they are working for you.
While it is certainly advisable to follow their advice wherever possible, if you ever feel like the coaching is making changes too fast, you can slow down the process.
8. You’re still the business big dog, after all!
Change doesn’t come to many of us naturally, but if you do invest in a business coach, it’s important to lean into the changes they suggest where possible, but it must be done within limits you feel comfortable with.
9. How long will coaching last?
Much like any relationship in life, how long your coaching relationship should last depends entirely on your needs and personal situation.
If you feel you have learned absolutely everything you need within as little as three months, you’re probably wrong, but you may see that as a fitting point to end your coaching. Especially if the coach was brought in to help with a finite project, business goal, or transition.
Equally, some business owners continue to invest in a business coaching program for many years to help keep them accountable and supported.
Keep Learning: Find a Business Partner Who’ll Help (Not Hurt) Your Business
Business Coaches and Their Role in Business Success
As you can see, coaching sessions can really help your business flourish, but to what end? Well, that depends on which business coach you opt for.
Fortunately for you, the kings and queens of flourish over at Foundr have got you covered with our 1-on-1 ecommerce coaching program.
Spots are limited, so get in touch today, and we can use our 1-on-1 coaching session to take your business to the next level.
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